Sky type discrimination using a ground-based sun photometer

• Published in: Atmospheric research Vol. 59; pp. 313 - 329
• Main Authors: DeFelice, T.P, Wylie, B.K
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-10-2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Geophysics. Techniques, methods, instrumentation and models; Meteorology; Optical extinction; Remote sensing; Spectra; Water in the atmosphere (humidity, clouds, evaporation, precipitation); South Dakota; United States; North America; America; USA, South Dakota; Spectra; Optical extinction; Remote sensing; Meteorology; Cirrostratus cloud; Stratocumulus cloud; Cumulus cloud; Clouds; Ground based measurement; Spectral signature; Altocumulus; Clear sky; Cirrus; Feasibility; Photometry; Fog
• ISSN: 0169-8095; 1873-2895
• DOI: 10.1016/S0169-8095(01)00122-3

A 2-year feasibility study was conducted at the USGS EROS Data Center, South Dakota (43.733°N, 96.6167°W) to assess whether a four-band, ground-based, sun photometer could be used to discriminate sky types. The results indicate that unique spectral signatures do exist between sunny skies (including clear and hazy skies) and cirrus, and cirrostratus, altocumulus or fair-weather cumulus, and thin stratocumulus or altostratus, and fog/fractostratus skies. There were insufficient data points to represent other cloud types at a statistically significant level.